TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD #2
"Reunion"
Recommended (8/10)
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Clib's Boy Comics
Writer/Artist: Tom Beland
Price: $2.95 US/$3.95 CAN |
Tom Beland. That utter bastard.
Based on his autobiographical comics, Tom Beland has managed to attain something we all want, whether we know it or not: true love. Hell, not just true love. Destined love. Though not quite as powerful as his first issue, Beland's continued telling of the beginnings of his relationship with his now-wife Lili is one of the most honest, touching and funny comic books I've had the pleasure of reading in some time.
In the weeks following his fateful meeting with his future wife in "the Magical Kingdom" (named so for legal reasons, no doubt), Tom tries to go back to his everyday life as a cartoonist in California, but soon finds he's barely able to function. His mind is stuck on Lili's face, but luckily for him, she's going through the same thing in Puerto Rico. Fate conspires once again, providing Lili the opportunity to visit her new friend on his home turf.
Beland's ultra-simple style is thoroughly expressive, and its light tone reflects the emotions driving this story forward perfectly. With some simple lines, he not only shows us why he falls in love with Lili, but hell... he has me falling for her. Her cuteness, humor and intelligence come shining through with only a few circles coming together to form her face. Beland uses shadow to excellent effect, isolating the characters from what's going on around them at times, focusing our attention on key moments.
I was pleased to find that in this issue, Beland makes his intention clear that while True Story is chiefly about his romance, he's also making room for other entertaining little "true stories." His brother's revolt against incompetence in the service industry was empowering in a goofy kind of way.
Above, I mention that Beland manages to convey the emotions at the core of this book through the visuals quite and And the chief feeling at the heart of this story is bliss. Beland isn't just telling us the story how he met his wife and formed a deep relationship. He's not just exploring the notion of fate. What he's really doing is celebrating life. This is a refreshingly optimistic book that makes me smile as I read each page.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to listen to some cheesy love songs. First up... Escape (The Pina Colada Song).
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
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